Terms of Modern Awards

Modern awards, together with the ten National Employment Standards (NES), form a new safety net of employment terms and conditions. Modern awards will operate from 1 January 2010.

The terms of a modern award would include:

• Minimum wages, thereby replacing the fair pay and conditions standard

• Types of employment - full time, part time, and shift work

• Arrangements for when work is to be performed

• Hours of work

• Variations to working hours, including overtime and penalty rates, salaries, allowances, leave and leave loading, and superannuation

• Procedures for consultation, representation and dispute settlement

• Minimum pay rates including training, bonuses, disability wages, piece rates, classification structures and incentives

• The cashing out of personal / carers' leave

• A definition of a shift worker

• Rest breaks

Who is bound by a Modern Award?

A modern award binds employers, employees, organisations and eligible entities. It must be expressed to bind specified employers and specified employees of employers bound by the modern award, in respect of work that is regulated by the modern award. The award may also bind one or more specified organisations which must be specified by name. 

If you'd like more information on award modernisation, please call us on 1300 QUINNS (1300 784 667) or +61 2 9223 9166 or complete and submit the Express Enquiry form on the top right hand side of this page and we will contact you to discuss your enquiry.

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